YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – The Ohio State Patrol is urging graduates and parents to celebrate graduation season without alcohol if the graduates are underage.

Destinee Snyder and Emily Huggins are celebrating their big day this weekend. With promising futures, they both say they are staying away from alcohol.

“I’ll have a graduation party at a hall. That’s basically it with my family and friends,” Huggins said.

Snyder said that she thinks people have to make the right choices because graduates have their whole lives ahead of them, and they have to do what is right.

The Ohio State Patrol says there’s a slight increase in the number of impaired driving arrests during the warmer months and graduation season.

“It’s a graduation party. It’s a time of celebration for graduates this season, but we want to make safe and responsible decisions in regards to drinking. There’s zero tolerance in regards to underage alcohol consumption in the state of Ohio,” said Brian Vail of the Ohio State Patrol.

If caught drinking and driving, the driver could face up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Providing alcohol to someone under 21, including recent graduates, could get the same penalty.

Destinee and her mom took a moment to look back on all that she has accomplished in school.

She knows one bad decision could ruin it all.

The 17-year-old has some advice for those who are old enough to drink. “If they’re drinking or smoking or whatever, be mindful. Set a standard as to how much you’re going to do it so that you don’t go overboard because people’s lives could be in danger,” Snyder said.